GORSEDH Kernow has officially announced Launceston as its host town for 2017.

Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey, Telynor an Weryn, said:“In years gone by this was the furthest into Cornwall that officers of the crown felt safe to venture, and since that time this splendid town has continued to live up to its motto of loyalty.”

The Grand Bard’s words were spoken as a joint declaration with town mayor Brian Hogan that Launceston would host the 2017 Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture and bardic ceremony.

Gorsedh Kernow was established in 1928 with the aim of celebrating and promoting Cornwall’s distinctive Celtic culture.

Gorsedh Kernow’s Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture, which includes the bardic ceremony where new bards are initiated, will be held in and around Launceston from Wednesday, August 30 — opening date to be confirmed — and conclude on Sunday, September 3.

Cllr Hogan said: “We are delighted that the bards of the Cornish Gorsedd have accepted our invitation to hold their celebrations here next year, especially in the 100th anniversary year of the birth of bard Charles Causley, Morvarth, teacher, writer, revered poet and son of Launceston.”

Accepting the invitation on behalf of fellow bards, Dr Davey said: “We are faced with an ever increasing threat to our precious Cornish culture and we face one of our toughest challenges persuading the government to Keep Kernow Whole by agreeing to the smallest of changes to legislation.”

Cllr Hogan added: “The people of Cornwall have fought long and hard to preserve their sense of identity. They are not keen on centuries of history being pushed aside because of Government red tape. There’s a lot of anger around here. Cornwall is passionate about its own identity.

“Launceston has always worn its Cornishness with pride and as a town at the very edge of these potentially catastrophic changes to our 1,000 year old border with England we wholeheartedly echo the words of the Grand Bard.”

When Launceston Town Council decided in May to renew its invitation to Gorsedh Kernow to be a host town in 2017, Cllr Rob Tremain, who is also a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, said the annual ceremony was held in Launceston in 2003 for the first time in around 30 years, and described the ceremony 13 years ago as a ‘great success’.